Oxonianum Geranium Geranium × oxonianum 'Walter's Gift'
ABOUT
Geranium × oxonianum 'Walter's Gift' is a perennial plant known for its distinctive foliage and flowers. It has deeply lobed, medium-green leaves which often have a slight marbling or mottling, giving it a textured appearance. The foliage can also display hints of pink or purple, especially on the newer growth or as a response to cooler temperatures. Blooming prolifically, the plant produces an abundance of saucer-shaped flowers. These blossoms are usually a soft mauve or lilac color, featuring prominent purple-pink veining that stands out against the paler petals. The veining often converges towards the center, leading the eye to the plant's stamen and pistils. The delicate flowers create a lovely contrast against the leaves and typically bloom from late spring throughout summer, sometimes extending into early fall depending on the climate and growing conditions. The overall appearance of the plant is that of a rounded mound, with the blooms rising just above the foliage on slender stems, creating an airy, whimsical effect in garden beds or borders.
About this plant
NamesSynonyms
Oxford Geranium, Walter's Gift Hardy Geranium.
Common names
Geranium × oxonianum 'Walter's Gift'.
ToxicityTo humans
Geraniums, generally speaking, are not known to be highly toxic to humans. Ingestion of Geranium × oxonianum 'Walter's Gift' may cause mild gastrointestinal upset, such as nausea or diarrhea, if consumed in large quantities. However, the toxicity is considered low, and serious consequences are unlikely from the casual handling or incidental ingestion of the plant.
To pets
Geraniums are known to be mildly toxic to pets, such as dogs and cats. If a pet ingests a portion of Geranium × oxonianum 'Walter's Gift', they may exhibit symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, or depression. It's important to monitor your pet and consult with a veterinarian if you suspect they have ingested a significant amount of the plant. While the toxicity is relatively low, it is still best to discourage pets from eating the plant to avoid potential unpleasant reactions.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Deciduous
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
Pink
Height
1-2 feet (30-60 cm)
Spread
1-2 feet (30-60 cm)
Plant type
Herb
Hardiness zones
5
Native area
Hybrid
Benefits
General Benefits- Aesthetic Appeal: Geranium × oxonianum 'Walter's Gift' adds visual interest to gardens with its attractive foliage and pink flowers.
- Easy to Grow: This cultivar is known for being low-maintenance and easy to care for, making it suitable for beginners and experienced gardeners alike.
- Drought Tolerance: Once established, it has good drought tolerance, requiring less water compared to many other garden plants.
- Long Blooming Season: The plant produces flowers over a long period, from late spring to early autumn, providing a constant display of color.
- Attracts Pollinators: The flowers attract bees and butterflies, contributing to the health of the local ecosystem by supporting pollinator populations.
- Garden Versatility: It can be used in various garden settings, including borders, rock gardens, and as ground cover.
- Deer Resistance: Geranium × oxonianum 'Walter's Gift' is generally resistant to deer, which can be particularly beneficial in areas where deer predation is a problem.
- Weed Suppression: The dense growth habit of this plant can help suppress weeds in the garden, reducing the need for herbicidal intervention.
Medical PropertiesThis plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Geranium × oxonianum 'Walter's Gift' can be used as a natural dye source, imparting varying shades of colors to fabrics depending on the mordant used.
- The plant’s foliage can be incorporated into floral arrangements for added texture and interest due to its intricate leaf patterns.
- Dried geranium leaves can be used to create aromatic potpourris, adding a subtle scent to rooms.
- The plant can be used for educational purposes to demonstrate plant growth, pollination, and hybridization techniques in horticulture classes.
- It can function as a ground-covering plant in model landscapes such as dollhouses or miniature gardens due to its dense foliage.
- Geranium leaves may be used in arts and crafts for stamping patterns on paper, creating natural motifs.
- As an artist's muse, the plant can inspire botanical illustrations or become the subject of photography projects.
- Geranium can serve as a natural means to deter certain insects in the garden when planted alongside vulnerable crops.
- The plant can act as a live mulch, shading the soil and helping to retain moisture during hot summers.
- In biodegradable crafts, the flowers and leaves of geranium can be included in making handmade papers or eco-friendly confetti.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiThe plant Geranium is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityThe plant Geranium is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Unexpected Friendship: 'Walter's Gift' is named after a person, suggesting a story or a connection behind the name. This can symbolize unique or unexpected friendships that have been a gift in one’s life.
- Healing: Geraniums are often associated with health and healing, so this particular variety can represent the wish for someone's recovery or the healing power of nature.
- Ingenuity: The hybrid nature of Geranium × oxonianum signifies innovation and the combination of different elements to create something new, which can symbolize creativity and ingenuity.
- Longevity: With the ability to bloom for a long time throughout the season, this plant can stand for endurance and longevity, both in life and relationships.
- Comfort: The lush foliage and attractive flowers provide a sense of comfort and coziness, making the plant a symbol of a reassuring presence.
WaterThe Oxford Geranium should be watered thoroughly, ensuring that the soil is moist but not waterlogged. It's best to water this plant when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch, which typically means watering once every 7 to 10 days, depending on the climate and indoor conditions. Use room temperature water, gently pouring it around the base of the plant until excess water begins to drain from the bottom of the pot, which could equate to about 16 to 24 ounces for a medium-sized pot. Adjust watering frequency during the hot summer months, as the plant may require more frequent watering, and reduce in the cooler, dormant winter season to prevent over-watering.
LightThe Oxford Geranium thrives best in bright, indirect sunlight. It should be placed in a spot where it can receive plenty of light without being exposed to the harsh midday sun, which can scorch its leaves. An east or west-facing window is ideal, as it provides the bright morning or late afternoon light with some partial shade during the peak hours of sunlight.
TemperatureThe Oxford Geranium prefers a temperature range between 55 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit. It can tolerate short periods of time outside this range, but should not be exposed to temperatures below 32 degrees Fahrenheit, as it is not frost-tolerant. The ideal temperature conditions for robust growth are in the middle of this range, around 65 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit.
PruningPruning the Oxford Geranium helps to promote bushier growth and prevent legginess. It's best to prune in the spring just before the active growing season begins, cutting back leggy stems and removing any dead or yellowed leaves. Regular deadheading of spent blooms will also encourage continuous flowering throughout the season. Light pruning can be done as needed throughout the year to maintain shape and encourage new growth.
CleaningAs needed
SoilThe best soil mix for Geranium 'Walter's Gift,' also known as Hardy Geranium, is well-draining soil enriched with organic matter, such as compost or peat moss. The ideal soil pH for this plant should be slightly acidic to neutral, ranging from 5.8 to 7.2. Ensure that the soil allows for proper drainage to avoid waterlogged conditions, which can lead to root rot.
RepottingHardy Geraniums like 'Walter's Gift' do not require frequent repotting and can thrive for several years before needing to be moved to a larger container. Typically, repotting every 3-4 years is sufficient unless you notice signs of the plant outgrowing its current pot such as roots circling the bottom or emerging from drainage holes.
Humidity & MistingThe Hardy Geranium 'Walter's Gift' prefers average to slightly above-average humidity levels, but it is quite adaptable and can tolerate a range of conditions. Aim for a humidity level between 40-60% for optimal growth without special humidity adjustments.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Place in bright indirect light and keep soil slightly moist.
Outdoor
Plant in partial sun, well-drained soil; water regularly.
Hardiness zone
5-8 USDA
Life cycleGeranium × oxonianum 'Walter's Gift', commonly known as Oxford Geranium, begins its life cycle when seeds are sown or when it is propagated vegetatively through division or cuttings. The seedlings or rooted cuttings then establish a robust root system and develop into juvenile plants with characteristic lobed leaves. As the plants mature, they enter the vegetative stage, during which they grow and expand their foliage, forming dense clumps. Following vegetative growth, the Oxford Geranium enters the flowering stage, producing pink or purplish flowers with darker veining from late spring to early fall, which is the plant's reproductive phase. After pollination, seeds form and are eventually dispersed, ready to give rise to new plants. In the winter or unfavorable conditions, the plant may enter a period of dormancy, where above-ground growth dies back, but the plant remains alive through its hardy root system, ready to regrow in the next favorable season.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring-Early Summer
The most popular method of propagating Geranium × oxonianum 'Walter's Gift', commonly known as Hardy Geranium, is by division. This process is ideally carried out in the spring or early fall. To propagate through division, gardeners should carefully dig up a mature plant and gently separate the root ball into smaller sections, ensuring that each new section has a piece of the root system and some shoots. These divisions can then be planted into well-draining soil at the same depth they were previously growing. This method gives each new plant a strong start, allowing them to establish quickly and begin growing as independent plants. It also helps to rejuvenate older plants that might be losing vigor, encouraging more prolific blooming and healthier growth.
